Fred, the answer is field testing will conclude when FlexRadio feels that the product has reached a quality level where it can be released based on the feedback from our testing team. This is no different than the quality process that we undertake when releasing software. It is challenging to quantify something like a specific time period when there are still a few unknowns to be known that come to light when our testing team puts the new product through a series of real-world use cases.

And I can honestly tell you that everyone at FlexRadio and I mean everyone wants nothing more than to ship you your new radio or amplifier as soon as possible. It is our singular focus as it has been for the past months. It is easy to give in to external pressures and relax your quality processes to meet an arbitrary ship date. We want to provide the best user experience possible with our products and it is going to take just a little longer to achieve that goal. We appreciate your patience. Thank you.

From posts I've seen elsewhere, it would seem Icom is having just this problem. Releasing before enough real world testing has taken place. Even though I am anxious to get my 6600M, I would rather testing is as complete as reasonably possible, before I put it thru it's paces at my place.
James
WD5GWY

Let me add that there are no known problems with either the production hardware or software for the new radios. This is our fifth generation direct sampling, network based radio design going back to 2008 for the government. In fact for a large number of you, your radio is already assembled and tested waiting to pull the trigger for shipment.

Since there is only one SmartSDR that runs all radios, we have to make sure that we have completed appropriated field testing on all FLEX-6000 models before general release. This is to make sure we haven't missed something in the software merge for all the new hardware products on to the SmartSDR general release. We also want to make sure the user experience is right out of the box. You want us to take that kind care I am sure.

None of you want it sooner than I do. Soon means soon but not sooner than it should be. ;>)

now is much more hardware related ,so flex have already prototype on hand since at least Xenia ,based on picture of flexinsider it have at least over 60 radio near complete and PCB for ~150 more ,i think that if flex put million of dollars in part to assemble PCB , it knot that that it work flayless

so beta testing of radio it much more for testing very minor production glitch so usually short timethink that it likely that flex start to ship right after Xmas holiday

not to forgot that seem that Beta Team have on had since some time now the new Smartsdrso part of the testing job is already started

think to said something like 15 January some of the first batch radio will be delivery is a good guest

Without going into a lot of details, it's more than just minor glitches. A lot of what we do as alpha testers is UAT - User Acceptance Testing. We come from a wide cross section of the amateur community. I am a contester and DXer, but I also rag chew. Some of us like nets. Some like CW operation. One guy is a hard core VHF/UHF operator and uses transverters a lot. Then you have multi op stations like K9CT who basically put everything through its paces on a contest weekend. If we don't like something we let the dev team know. They will come back to us with modifications, we test and provide our feedback.

Personally I don't want anything reaching you that I won't like using myself. I look at competitive products and also observe other operators' style of operating. I monitor the contest reflectors and the contest results to see who scored how high using what equipment and how. All of this gets fed back to the team when I see something I wish Flex would do, or that they can do better.

As for this new release, there are a number of factors at play. There are at least five new hardware products - 6400, 6600, and M versions, and the Power Genius XL. All of them are integrated with this new version of SmartSDR.

HI Ria i have made reference to "hardware" part of the radio since software glitch not delay the production of the radio , even if ship only when all work , that what make SDR great , after radio is out , radio still in evolution

Marc I think your time table is likely accurate (just my opinion from what has already been stated).
And if I may get in on "The Fix" Howard is speaking in jest, just a little while longer and very much worth the wait.

;-) pas de rancune cetait pas personnel , must admit that i was bit upset today ,yesterday snow storm leave 18" of snow so likely that now that must wait for next April for going back to air so likely miss for sure Bouvet on EME

Not sure of exact timeframe for word "soon" but Flex has already been testing in-house.

The reason for field testing is what Ria outlined above, in the real world we can help verify and test many more configurations with peripheral hardware and software than you can in a lab environment.

Since the new radios and software are built to support the old radios as well we also need to ensure that the existing radios continue to work without any regressions.

Even though the time for releases is longer than people would like the quality of the releases is much better than early on in the history of the 6000 series. I thought the 2.0 rollout went very smooth.

I FRS followed the Apple model that would mean we would have millions upon millions of hams and you think there is QRM now. Apple can accommodate because they have the numbers to commit to very large production runs.

If I was to look at it objectively I would say that the Power Genius XL has been in field testers hands for one month and they haven’t sent the two week notice pre-ship invoice e-mails out to customers yet. I would imagine you’re looking at a Feb ship date for the first batch of 6400/6600s if they do make it to field testers hands next week. January is probably unrealistic.

I have considered ordering one of the 7610s as can justify it as my Xmas present (also saw my first used one for sale today), but I love my Flex radios and just not sure I can live with the small panadapter and low resolution of the Icom. Also about $900 higher in price..

I am looking forward to getting mine, but I have no doubt Flex wants it to ship even more than I do.

With a new updated model includes the fact you have to phase out of the previous version (6300 and 6500 in this case). Flex started this process months ago and currently does not have much for product to sell.